When his father dies, Lord Adam Bateman refuses to succeed to the dukedom which rightly belongs to his missing elder brother. Whilst performing secret and sensitive missions for the Duke of Wellington, he continues his efforts to find his twin. The search has become Adam’s all-consuming passion, leaving no time for affairs of the heart.

Miss Lucy Mercier is also seeking answers. Her father, a tailor, had been used to make hot air balloons for various noble patrons, including Lord Adam’s sire. Believing the deceased Duke of Wardley had been involved in her papa’s failure to return from the Continent, she takes employment in Lord Adam’s household in order to discover the truth. Then she accompanies him on an important commission for the Allied Army, and finds herself having to guard against a growing attraction for a man she knows she can never have.

Are the two disappearances connected and will two heads prove better than one in the pursuit of answers? Will Adam and Lucy find true happiness together or will the past – and their different stations – rise to keep them apart?

Although part of a loosely connected series, this Regency novel can be read on its’ own.

My View

Book nine in the Heart of a Hero series sees Ms King take up the reigns as we once again step into Regency world of heroic heroes. This one is very much along the lines of your more traditional regency Romances with the added thrills and suspense that we have come to expect from this series and, it’s still intriguing but with a charming Bronte-ish feel to it. Which I adore.

Our story starts in 1788 where the young Robert and Adam Bateman sons of the powerful Duke of Wardley are taken out on a day trip by their maid come nanny; Mary. A nice afternoon enjoying cheesecake and good company turns sour as Robert, the elder twin and heir to the dukedom suddenly goes missing. After an extension search, all they find of him is his little hat, but Mary swears that as they were making their way to the park they were being watched by two unknown men. But, as no one else saw these men and Mary was newly hired her account of what happened isn’t entirely believed and she is soon dismissed. The search carries on but Robert is never found.

Fast forward twenty-six years and Adam Bateman hasn’t given up on his brother, he truly believes that Robert is out there somewhere. Adam is adamant that his brother is alive, he keeps saying that if his brother had died then he would know. Being a twin, he has a sixth sense that tells him Robert is out there somewhere. He has been searching for him all his life and until he gets absolute proof that his brother is dead Adam will not stop looking. On the death of his father Adam became the Duke, but he refused to take on the title as it still belongs to his big brother. He decides to do as the Prince Regent has with the King and merely look after things until his brothers return.

“Turn with me,” he muttered “e, two, three….” he could feel the warmth of her skin through her thin ball gown where his hand rested in the small of her back. The sensation, coupled with the scent of orange blossom from her hair, was intoxicating. “I did not intend to shame you…”

But even though he is powerful in his right, there are still places and resources that elude him, so six years before he made the journey to Ireland and he became one of Wellingtons secret information agents. In doing so he can utilise the groups resources to take his search for his brother even further than he could have alone. In return, he does a few little jobs for Wellington the latest is to convey the Italian opera singer and former mistress to Napoleon Madam Grancini to France in a very secret mission, that only himself, Wellington and Adams secretary Lucian knows about.

Lucian Mercier is undercover, acting as Lord Adam Bateman’s secretary to gain information, but Lucian isn’t just acting as a secretary he is a she. Lucy Mercier’s father went missing at the same time as Robert Bateman, Lucy has always thought that the old Duke may have had something to do with it as her father was stuck in between the Duke and his enemy. The only way she can find the proof she needs is to infiltrate the Bateman household and look through the old Duke’s papers and the only way a woman is going to be able to do that; is dress as a man and pretend to be a secretary.

What should have been an easy get in the old Dukes office and look through his files and journals plan, turns into something else. She finds herself in the middle of something else, something darker and more dangerous than she could have ever expected. As she realises that Adam isn’t just the handsome as sin, rake that she had always though him to be but he is a secret agent for Wellington and now with association with Adam she is in the middle of a deadly game of cat and mouse.

“When I look at you, I wonder at the ease with which you received me.”“I daresay you did not penetrate my disguise because you did not expect me to be anything other than a simple secretary”“ if I am sure of anything , my live, it is that you were never a simple secretary…. ”

Lucy is a resilient and stubborn woman who knows her own mind, once she has got an idea in her head she doesn’t let up. She is like a dog with a bone. Her father has raised her not conform to what woman usually must be in the regency era and I like that, she has a brain and being from working class stock she understands the ways of the world so much more than most ladies of the era and yet, I think she is quite naïve too and in certain times throughout the book you get a sense of that naivety. I still really like her though, she is just an ordinary family orientated woman who trying to do her best and find out what happened to her father.

When Adam finds out that his quiet but intelligent secretary is a woman and he is sent an innocent into the spider’s web, his protective and heroic instincts kick in and he soon makes his way over to France too. Once there he meets this, beautiful and enchanting young woman who is as far removed from the quiet secretary, he is instantly transfixed with her.

It is when he finds out who she really is that you really see what a great man Adam is, he is brutish masculinity personified with a steely intelligence. His mind works faster that a bolt of lightning, he can work out puzzles as well as fight with his hidden sabre in his cane. He’s not exactly what you would come to expect from an aristocrat, he far darker at times when he is focused on finding his brother he seems so far away and that’s where Lucy’s kind heart comes into its own, she helps him far more than she could ever imagine.

They instantly connect and their fiery personas mix and entwine, they bounce off each other. As they get to know each other for who they are, as an attractive man and woman and not just lord and servant their difference in station does pray very heavily on Lucy’s mind, even though he has assured her that she is a silk merchants daughter and working class he insists that, that doesn’t matter but she knows society will think differently and it her reluctance and internal conflict that really makes him work harder to prove that this relationship can work. Amongst the danger and the passion and the pent-up conflicts will our hero and heroine finally give in to what they both want? And more importantly will they find their loved ones?

“One thing you need to understand about me, my lord,” she answered sweetly, “ is that I do not take kindly to being arbitrarily forbidden to so support and protect my family.”He felt his lips twitch “ Not even when it’s for your own safety?”She smiled, a teasing bewitching twinkle of mischief. “Most assuredly not, then!” she answered at once.Her expression Dared him to gainsay her masquerade. What sort of baggage had he fallen for?

I do love this it is very different to the other’s in the series but I like King’s writing, she has a flare with words and a voice that echo’s the great Bronte sister’s. There is just so much to like about The Missing Duke, the plot ties seamlessly in with the rest of the series and as ever you get to see some of the past heroes like the cunningly intelligent, master spy Joanna Devlin from the prequel Novella. The characters are strong and well-constructed that you instantly like them, as ever with Historical Romances what I always look forward to is the detailing and the history and I can say that King’s got all aspect’s spot on.

A real winner and a great episode in this series that keeps getting better and better and I whole heartedly recommend it, what I like about The Heart of the Hero series is that each book can be read very as a standalone. For those that haven’t read this series, yet you can start anywhere in the series, and I really like that.

I have the greatest pleasure of chatting with best selling author, Heather King. Author of A Sense of the Ridiculous, Devil’s Hoof and one of the authors of the fantastic Heart of a Hero Series. So get your cuppa, take a seat and lets get to know a little more about Heather.

A confessed romantic and bookworm, Heather King has always made up stories. Discovering Georgette Heyer’s Regency novels began a lifelong love of the era, although she enjoys well-written books from other times too. Heather’s stories are traditional romps – light-hearted and witty, with bags of emotion. You walk with her characters through the world they inhabit. She also writes Paranormal Shape Shifter romance.

Visiting her Dark Side as Vandalia Black, she wrote Vampires Don’t Drink Coffee and Other Stories which includes a novella set during the English Civil War.

When not looking after her two hairy ponies, three cats and boisterous Staffie X, or frowning over keypad or notebook, she likes nothing better than taking long walks and curling up with a good book.

Frankie Hi Heather, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Firstly what five words would you use to describe yourself?

Heather Persevering (it sounds better than stubborn), loyal, considerate, protective, honest. I could add boring, tea-dog-and-horse-loving windbag, but that wouldn’t sound as good… and it’s more than five words!

Frankie LOL! Brilliant, If you could live in any era and place, when and where would it be? and why?

Heather Oh, golly. I’m pretty happy where I am. I would love the quieter pace of life; the elegance, the courtesy and respect, the furnishings and carriages of the Regency, but I don’t think I would like to live there, not even for men in breeches and neckcloths! I like my creature comforts and modern appliances too much. I also like modern jodhpurs!

If I had to choose, I would be a squire’s daughter, perhaps, like Jocasta in my novel A Sense of the Ridiculous, who is not hedged about by strict rules and pretty much does as she pleases. She also has a beautiful grey hunter, who leads her to her hero, the knee-meltingly gorgeous Richard.

Frankie I love the sound of that, Who was your childhood hero?

Heather After Champion the Wonder Horse, you mean? Sad child that I was, there were various fictional heroes, usually good looking actors! Although a legend, I devoured anything I could find about Robin Hood… can you tell I spent a lot of time in a dream world? Ahem; still do, for that matter.

My real-life hero will always be my Mum. She worked so hard throughout my childhood and was always there for us.

Frankie Aww, lovely! What is your favourite time of the year?

Heather It’s a tie between spring and autumn. I love the world coming to life after winter, the warming of the weather (perhaps), the blossom, bright blue skies (maybe) and lambs in the fields – the usual clichés. However, although it means the onset of winter, I love a crisp autumn day with leaves crunching underfoot and being able to take a long walk without melting into a puddle of sweat at the end of it. I love the autumn colours and that tingle of pleasure in the veins when you exhale a cloud of breath into a bright October or November morning.

Frankie Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Heather Ooh… puffs out cheeks. Whichever one I am writing at the time usually takes pride of place, but I have a very soft spot for Richard in A Sense of the Ridiculous and also my hero in my paranormal romance, Devil’s Hoof. Matt is a soldier, struggling to make sense of life after war and also battling a disease more usually associated with horses. Furthermore, he has a family secret which threatens to put everyone he loves in danger. He is a sexy Alpha male with a heart of gold and is just waiting for the right woman with whom to rebuild his life.

Frankie Now he sounds fabulous, where does your inspiration for your books come from?

Heather All over the place! My mother’s favourite story came about through a snippet of information about the Prince Regent she found in a country magazine. Other times, inspiration has come from an overheard conversation, a picture, a line of prose or a poem, something which has happened to me (that was the case with Ridiculous), a tiny piece of historical fact (Copenhagen’s Last Charge came from a little-known gem I discovered about the Duke of Wellington’s horse). Even smells can trigger creativity!

Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Heather Read as much as you can, especially about your proposed subject or era. This is particularly important for historical works. An author needs to be able in immerse him or herself in the era: clothes, foods, décor, fabrics, furnishings etc. and above all, dialogue.

Write, write, write. Keep on writing. Write every day, even if only for a few minutes. You have to develop your ‘writing muscle’, as it were. Something will grow from it, even from only five minutes a day. Write, even if you think it’s rubbish. Out of the fustian there will be a single thread of gold you can develop.

Carry a notebook with you everywhere. Record smells, flowers at different seasons, birds, snippets of conversations, buildings, people, way of speech… EVERYTHING!

Frankie If you were hosting a dinner party, what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Seriously, I would love to chat with Jane Austen about real life in the Regency. I would also love to be a fly on the wall to a conversation between the great French riding master, Francois Robichon de la Guerinière and our own British King of Dressage, Carl Hester. That would be fascinating! De la Guerinière earned recognition as a rider and instructor at the renowned Riding Academy of Paris, became Director of Manège at the Tuileries and invented the unrivalled suppling school movements of shoulder-in, renvers and travers (head or tail to the wall). His aim, through systematic training, was to produce a horse which was calm, supple, obedient and pleasurable to ride. Carl Hester also follows these classical precepts and is the force behind the Dressage Super Horse, Valegro. He is also a thoroughly nice chap who unstintingly gives his time to support lesser riders and his fans.

Frankie That is a dinner party I would love to attend, Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today. I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun…

What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Heather The easy answer is chocolate… but the truth is it changes as my tastes change. I adore raspberries and don’t buy them very often because you get so few for your money. Raspberries in a meringue nest, with ice cream and cream… scrummy yummy! And then I also adore chocolate fudge, shortbread, Victoria sponge cake, egg and chips, bangers and mash… the list goes on. Oink.

Yumm! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me, its been a pleasure.

💜💜💜

The Missing Duke

When his father dies, Lord Adam Bateman refuses to succeed to the dukedom which rightly belongs to his missing elder brother. Whilst performing secret and sensitive missions for the Duke of Wellington, he continues his efforts to find his twin. The search has become Adam’s all-consuming passion, leaving no time for affairs of the heart.

Miss Lucy Mercier is also seeking answers. Her father, a tailor, had been used to make hot air balloons for various noble patrons, including Lord Adam’s sire. Believing the deceased Duke of Wardley had been involved in her papa’s failure to return from the Continent, she takes employment in Lord Adam’s household in order to discover the truth. Then she accompanies him on an important commission for the Allied Army, and finds herself having to guard against a growing attraction for a man she knows she can never have.

Are the two disappearances connected and will two heads prove better than one in the pursuit of answers? Will Adam and Lucy find true happiness together or will the past – and their different stations – rise to keep them apart?

When a prank goes wrong, headstrong squire’s daughter Jocasta Stanyon wakes up in the bedchamber of an inn with no memory of who she is. The inn is owned by widow Meg Cowley and her handsome son Richard, who proves to be more than a match for the unconventional Miss Stanyon.

Having enjoyed a carefree childhood, Jocasta has refused all offers for her hand in the hopes of one day finding a soul mate who shares her sense of the ridiculous. She is drawn to Richard, but their stations in life are far apart and despite prolonging her stay by devious means, the idyll cannot last. When, by chance, her brother Harry turns up at the Holly Tree Inn, Jocasta has no choice but to return home. She hopes to persuade her father of Richard’s qualities, but then she is summoned to receive the addresses of a fashionable stranger…

Laminitis or fever of the feet is crippling for horses. What must it be like for a man?

Matthew Swift, Special Forces veteran of the Iraq wars and invalided out of the army following an act of heroism, is struggling to adjust to civilian life. Suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, he is a loose cannon ready to explode, beset by horrific flashbacks and images. If that were not enough, Matt has broken up with his girlfriend and his father is fighting a hostile takeover, in the process hiding a heart problem from his family.

Sparks fly when Matt meets alternative therapist Shani Stevens, but then they become stranded in Rhandor Forest by unprecedented storms and have no choice but to help each other.

Both have scars, yet slowly they learn to trust. Mutual sympathy and understanding soon grow into an abiding passion, but Matt has a secret he cannot reveal…
A powerful love story and a poignant insight into the equine psyche, with a bit of mystery and adventure thrown in, Devil’s Hoof will grab your heart.

When Meg Lacy encounters a broodingly handsome Light Dragoon at the Duchess of Richmond’s grand ball, she little expects that in the hours following the Battle of Waterloo she will be accompanying him around the streets of Brussels. Romance is the last thing on her mind as they seek a lost and valuable item belonging to the Duke of Wellington himself.

Lieutenant James Cooper is surly and unhelpful, but Meg senses the Dragoon will need her help if they are to succeed. As they bicker their way around the narrow streets, a strange empathy begins to develop as gradually glimpses of the man beneath start to be revealed. Meg finds herself drawn to that person, but when they finally recover and then return the item to the Duke, Cooper makes a grave error of judgement which jeopardizes their budding friendship…

When Meg Lacy finds herself riding through the streets of Brussels only hours after the Battle of Waterloo, romance is the last thing on her mind, especially with surly Lieutenant James Cooper. However, their bickering uncovers a strange empathy – until, that is, the lieutenant makes a grave error of judgement which jeopardizes their budding friendship…

WHAT IF YOUR favorite superheroes had Regency-era doppelgangers? And what if a group of them were recruited by the Duke of Wellington to gather intelligence for him during the Napoleonic Wars while they protected their own parts of the realm? You’d get The Heart of a Hero series.

Andrew Elliott, Earl of Hartland, is no stranger to scandal. A notorious rake and eccentric genius, he fights crime in armor of his own design and celebrates his achievements with the merriest of widows. What the ton doesn’t know is that Hart has received a warning: danger is heading for London and it’s looking for Sarah Shipton.

Sarah discovers the bookshop her mother owns is failing and they will have nothing to live on when the month is out. So when the Earl of Hartland offers for her, she agrees to the marriage. But marrying Hart throws Sarah from the frying pan of imminent poverty into the fire of a world filled with science and peril she never knew existed.

How will Sarah cope with the knowledge that someone wants her dead? Can Hart keep her safe from a person hell bent on her destruction

My View

The Good, The Bad and The Scandalous is book seven in this new and exciting Series; “The Heart of a Hero series” this series is made of up nine books that can be read as a standalone’s or as a series and it is written by nine fabulous authors. I fell in love with the series straight from day one when I got to read the initial prequel novella by Cora Lee “No Rest For The Wicked” and I was instantly drawn into the intriguing and sexy world that these (sometimes masked) heroes live in and I was instantly hooked by everything from the plot’s to the character’s and this one is great addition.

“I might know my way around a hammer and anvil.”

“I’m trying to picture you in a leather apron and heavy gloves, but it isn’t quite working.”

Andrew is an unusual man by day he is the notorious rake and eccentric charmer that woman want to bed and men want to be seen with, by night he don’s his suit of armour – which he designed and made himself – and goes out to apprehend those that are doing wrong, he finds them and hands them over to the authorities. Society are scandalized by his exploits but they are thrilled by them too, who knew that a handsome rake could be so selfless and brave.

But there is a side to him that nobody knows about, a side to him that no one in society can ever know about. He is also a part of a secret intelligence gathering ring founded by the Duke of Wellington himself, this ring has nine members all from different places in society, all with different backgrounds. They all help bring people to justice, people that in one way are another could threaten the very country that they are fighting to protect.

Andrew amongst other missives gets a message that book store owner Sarah Shipton is in grave danger, she has had a bounty put on her head by unknown assailants and in order to protect her he ends up causing a scandal which in turns forces his hand to marry her.

Sarah is in financial crisis, after the death of her mother she finds out that her mother has been hiding their financial situation from her. She learns that they are completely broke, the book shop where she has spent most of her childhood isn’t making the money they need, her dowry has been used to cover debts and they have nothing left. She is afraid that they are going to end up in the work house until one night at a ball she becomes embroiled in a scandal, where a knight in shining armour comes along to rescue her.

They make an agreement that can benefit both of them, for Sarah it’s not just financial protection but because of this bounty on her head she has got the ultimate protection from one of Wellingtons own. He will protect her from this unknown person who wants to harm her, and for Andrew he has got the very thing that he has never had, a family.

“You haven’t asked me a question, my lord.”He grinned.

“I haven’t, have I?”He took both her hands in his—their first skin-to-skin contact in their nearly ten-year acquaintance—and dropped to one knee.

“Sarah Shipton, will you make me the happiest of men and become my wife?” She arched an eyebrow.

“The happiest of men?”

“Too much? I’ve never proposed marriage to a lady before, so I wasn’t quite sure how to do it.”

“Too much for our situation, perhaps. But I appreciate the attempt at sentiment.”

At first they do what’s needed for both of them and as Andrew repeatedly says they “rub along well enough” but each of them realise that there is so much more to the person they have married, then what they originally thought. Sarah find him to be more than just a reprobate, a rake and a womanizer he is a kind hearted, eccentric genius with so much protective loyalty towards those that need his help. Andrew soon realises how much of a calm and intelligent woman she is and he finds her calming and she soothes his hectic mind and personality.

I do like Sarah and Andrew they are so much alike, they are like two peas in a pod. They are equally intelligent and their bantering is thought provoking and educating and highly enjoyable they seem to feed of each other. I particularly like how he doesn’t look down his nose at her, even though he is an aristocrat and she from working class stock he treats her as an equal and respects her for being an intelligent woman with her own mind.

“Save a life, get a kiss?” he grinned. “Can we make that a permanent agreement?”

“Yes,” she answered, leaning down again. “In fact, let’s make it two kisses.”

This time he was ready for her, and wrapped her in his arms when her lips met his.

I do really enjoy Lee’s work she brings her own individual charm and intelligence to the Historical Romance genre that is very rare, and this one is certainly no different. I love the whole concept of this series, favourite superheroes in the Regency era. It’s new and fresh and highly addictive to read and I have been hooked.

This is so highly recommended, if you like handsome, rakish regency heroes and you like a good super hero then you have to read this, in fact you have to read the entire series.

Just so good!

This was a ARC copy via the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Good, The Bad and The Scandalous is out now and can be found at Amazon

Heart of a Hero Series

No Rest for the Wicked by Cora Lee (prequel novella)
Only A Hero Will Do by Alanna Lucas
Once Bitten by Aileen Fish
Lightning Strikes Twice by Jillian Chantal
No Hiding for the Guilty by Vanessa Riley
The Marquis of Thunder by Susan Gee Heino
The Good, The Bad, And The Scandalous by Cora Lee
The Archer’s Paradox by Ally Broadfield
The Missing Duke by Heather King
The Mercenary Pirate by Katherine Bone

Michael Devlin is a man of great learning but little means, living in one of the poorest sections of Dublin. By day, he practices law at the Four Courts and gives reading lessons to the local children. By night he’s the man in the mask, prowling the streets of The Liberties defending the people—his people—from those who would prey upon them. But when his estranged wife appears on his doorstep with a summons from Sir Arthur Wellesley, both of Michael’s worlds are turned upside down. What will happen to The Liberties if he obeys Sir Arthur’s command to meet in Cork? Can he even trust the woman who married then left him five years ago?

As a spy for Sir Arthur Wellesley, Joanna Pearson Devlin has executed this same mission flawlessly many times before: locate the subject, transport him safely, and present him to her employer. When Sir Arthur sends her out one more time to bring in her estranged husband, Joanna knows this mission will be anything except flawless. But Napoleon’s agents are everywhere, and Michael is an important part of the team Sir Arthur is assembling to stop them. For the sake of her country, Joanna heads to Dublin even as her discomfort grows. Will she be able to put aside her uncertainties and convince her husband to join the fight? Can they learn to work together again if he agrees?

Brief Preview

Five years ago his wife left him and set off on another mission for the crown, Michael has learned to get on with his life, not only that but he has learned to lock away his anger and hurt that he has been feeling for not only his estranged wife but of life itself. He had set out to focus on helping those that are genuinely in need, in his own special way!

By day he is the calm and educated lawyer Michael Devlin, by night he walks the streets of “The Liberties” as the masked vigilante; The Demon of Dublin’s Hell.

So he gets the shock of his life, when one day out of the blue his estranged wife turns up on his doorstep with a message from none other than the mighty Lord Arthur Wellesley. She is there to deliver the message and the Demon to Sir Arthur.

Joanna is a covert agent who works closely with the war effort and Sir Arthur in particular, she knew that she would get another mission so it wasn’t surprising that soon after her wedding to Michael she was given a new assignment what did surprise her was it has kept her away from the man she loves for five years.

Joanna, as much as she loves her work and being able to-do something useful to help her country and the people she loves. She hated having to leave Michael and worse than that because of her duty she has had to stay away and break off all contact with he only man she has ever loved, and the only man who has ever loved her completely.

She promised she wouldn’t be away or too long but because of her duty she was forced to break that promise to her husband and in the process break both of their hearts.

After agreeing to undertake this assignment and travel to meet with Sir Arthur with Joanna they set off, but what they encounter on route will turn their lives upside down and not just with the danger of the mission but from what they find out about each other.

My View

This is the first book I have read by Cora Lee and I thought it was a fabulous introduction into this talented ladies work. No Rest For The Wicked is apart of the “Heart of a Hero” series and it is a series I am looking forward to reading more of. The chemistry between out estranged couple is heated, the tension just ripples as well as the distrust for each other. This is fast, fun and exciting a fabulous read.

Michael is really good man, he is from the slums and yet, he has had an education he is hard-working, kind-hearted and loyal. A man who genuinely cares for the people in his Dublin Hell, he is a surprise and not exactly what you would expect from a lawyer. By day he helps people legally and by night he prowls about wearing a black mask under the name of the Demon of Dublin’s Hells, he cares for the under privileged and cares about what will happen to them.

He is a regular man who has pulled himself out of the lowest rungs of society to become the intelligent, brave and caring man he is now and he deserves respect. Especially from his wife. He genuinely loves Joanna and I do think that he was treated very harshly by Joanna and the way he lets her back into his life and his world after five years just goes to show just how much of a good man he is.

He is incredible!

“You said it’s the Demon of the Dublin’s Hell, that Wellesley wants. Does he know I’m the Demon?”“He does.”Michael held the letter with both hands and read it again, “What does he want with me?”“A meeting…”

Now Joanna is a tough woman and when she is on a mission she is a force to be reckoned with and when she’s in agent mode she is very cold and calculating, and I will admit that I wasn’t sure if I could like her but she grew on me. Her loyalty and her bull headed-ness to get the job done earns respect, she is a woman putting her life at risk day in day out and she is doing what many would – even today – consider a man’s job, and that is inspiring.

When on a mission she is cold, calculated and manipulative, she is fierce women especially when eagerly integrating a highwayman while pointing a pistol at his head. But when she is alone with Michael she is like a completely different woman, she is warm and she actually comes across as very vulnerable. She wants Michael to look after her, and to love her.

“You never spent even a single night with… company?”“No” his brows drew down over his eyes “Why would I?”“Because I disappeared without a trace far longer than I told you I’d be gone. Because I could have been dead, or captured or mistress to another man.”He was seated across from her again, and slid his foot across the floor to touch hers.“You were my wife, and continued to be eleven when we were no longer in the same country. I’d never hurt you that way.”“I didn’t….I was never unfaithful to you, either.”

I do really like this, it is smart, sexy and so well written but the more than that it makes you think. It is really lovely watching as these two get to know each other all over again and as their defences lower and they get closer and closer. They are both very reluctant to reveal their hearts, so it’s quite sweet when they finally do.

The inner turmoil with both of them is constantly present and yet despite not knowing whether to trust one another, they work brilliantly as a team. They can read each other like a book and its like a beautiful dance between them, they are so in sync.

A great story about how love can conquer over so many difficulties and so much turmoil, and one that I would definitely recommend and Lee is an author who I will be reading more of.

Fabulous!

This was an ARC copy via the author in exchange for an honest review.

No Rest For The Wicked is released on 6th July and can be found at Amazon.

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